www.GAFM.us * www.GAFM.orgIn alliance with the Unincorported Non-Profit Association of Finance and
Management USAA financial analyst securities analyst, research analyst, equity
analyst, or investment analyst is a person who performs financial analysis for external or internal clients
as a core part of the job. Financial analysis (also referred to as financial statement analysis or
accounting analysis or Analysis of finance) refers to an assessment of the viability, stability and
profitability of a business, sub-business or project. It is performed by professionals who prepare reports
using ratios that make use of information taken from financial statements and other reports. These reports
are usually presented to top management as one of their bases in making business decisions. Certification
as a financial analyst requires accredited education in financeManagement consulting is the practice of helping organizations to improve
their performance, primarily through the analysis of existing organizational problems and development of
plans for improvement. Organizations may draw upon the services of management consultants for a number of
reasons, including gaining external (and presumably objective) advice and access to the consultants'
specialized expertise. Becoming certified in management consulting requires proper education experience and
credentials.Management accounting or managerial accounting is concerned with the
provisions and use of accounting information to managers within organizations, to provide them with the
basis to make informed business decisions that will allow them to be better equipped in their management
and control functions. Cost accounting is a process of collecting, analyzing, summarizing and evaluating
various alternative courses of action. Its goal is to advise the management on the most appropriate course
of action based on the cost efficiency and capability. Cost accounting provides the detailed cost
information that management needs to control current operations and plan for the future. Certification in
management or cost accounting requires education and expertise in accounting.